CARY, N.C. Methodist picked up three early goals then added a second-half tally in shutting out host William Peace University on Tuesday afternoon in USA South women's soccer action.
A goal from
Aiden Sherry opened the scoring in the 10th minute, with markers from
Haley Bowles and
Gillian Niesel coming two minutes apart in the 17th and 19th to stake the Monarchs to a three-goal bulge at recess.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. William Peace, 4-0
Records: Methodist 5-3 (1-1 USA South), William Peace 2-5-1 (0-2 USA South)
Location: WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Sherry scored off a cross from Bella Nunu at the 9:19 mark. Nunu had worked free from her defender deep in the attacking third just to the outside of the box and had a clear path to send a pass across the goal face. Sherry saw the opportunity and gained a step in front of her defender where she received Nunu's pass and easily poked a shot past goalkeeper Makenzie Jones, who was caught following the cross the other direction.
- Bowles netted the second goal of the game off a free kick chance from the top of the box at the 16:55 mark.
- Cheyenne Ferrin might have been looking at a straight-on shot toward frame, but as she rushed toward the free kick she slowed enough to instead roll a pass to the left side of the frame where Bowles, who had streaked into the box ahead of her defender, corralled the pass and rocketed a shot inside the right post.
- Two minutes later it was Niesel who pasted a shot from outside the 18 into the right corner for her first goal of the season.
- Bowles added a second goal in the victory, converting a pass from Alexa Smith into her fourth goal of the season.
- Methodist dominated possession in the contest, allowing the Pacers just one shot in each half while limiting William Peace to one first-half corner kick opportunity.
- Neither of the Pacers' shots made their way into any of Methodist's three goalies who combined for the shutout.
- The Monarchs, in contrast, rang up 23 shots -- 15 on frame -- while collecting 5 set pieces from the corners.
PACERS STRIDES
- Jones registered 11 saves in a valiant effort between the pipes for William Peace.
- Janae Mays and Jordan Rogers registered the two shots by the Pacers.
- Two games prior to Tuesday's contest, Rogers was one of four players to score a goal in the team's 6-0 shutout at Hollins University.
NEXT UP
- Methodist entertains No. 21 Christopher Newport University in a mid-week, non-conference matchup Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Monarch Soccerplex.
- William Peace travels to Pfeiffer for a Saturday afternoon league contest.